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Kurt Vogler
PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:01 am 
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Location: Smokey Mountain's
Hello
I saw at a gun show last weekend a custom revolver built by a guy with the first name Fred. He was from Virginia, and the seller told me he is now deceased. I was wondering if ANYONE would know the last name of this custom hand gun builder? as I would like to do some research on him. The seller added the guy's wife made a custom gun sock for all his builds to protect them as well. The revolver I saw was a S&W model 25 to start with. He then cut down the cylinder to use a .45 Acp. round. This revolver was set up to shoot only wad cutters only in 180 Grain as well. It had a slab sided custom barrel with the builders name stamped on it, along with a fully adjustable trigger, and reworked action Any information on this builder would be appreciated. Best regards, Kurt Vogler

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John Harrison
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:08 am 
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Kurt, I think you are speaking of Fred Sadowski and I believe he was from Mechanicsville. He was known for cutting cylinders back to .38 wadcutter length and then setting the barrel back to match.

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Kurt Vogler
 Post subject: Fred Sadowski
PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:19 am 
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Hello John
Thank's for the Lightning response. I KNEW this would be a quick accurate answer with All the Talent & Experience in this forum. I appreciate your response on this as well. Have a super day.. :wink: Kurt Vogler

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safarihunter
 Post subject: Fred
PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:25 am 
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The Fred Sadowski I knew was a gunsmith in the Denver area back in the 70's. His shop was called 300 Gunsmithing I believe.

He was a master of Pythons along with Paul Tedford of the Colt Custom Shop, Jerry Moran and Reeves Junkind.

I sent him several Pythons to work over.

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Kurt Vogler
PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:42 am 
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Quote:
The Fred Sadowski I knew was a gunsmith in the Denver area back in the 70's
Hello Safari Hunter
Maybe we are thinking of another Fred Gun builder here.. I was told by the seller that this guy was definately from Virginia.. Thanks, Kurt.

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John Harrison
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:45 am 
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Safari Hunter is right. Fred Sadowski is from Denver. I think I'm right about Mechanicsville.

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Kurt Vogler
 Post subject: Fred Sadowski...
PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:47 am 
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Hello John
Did he ever produce and send these revolvers from this Virginia address ? or was this his home Town ? Thanks, Kurt.

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CT Brian
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:34 am 
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On the tip of my tongue, but won't come out. I know who your talking about, and it's not Sadowski.

He was well known for his short cylinder PPC guns. Died 10 or 15 years ago as I recall.

Fred... uhhh, Fred... ummm, dogone it, Fred......

Alright, the first person to come up with the answer get's a free beer at SHOT.

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John Harrison
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:43 am 
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I believe "Schmidt" was his last name, now that I think it through.

edited to add this link that I found on another site: http://www.pistolsmith.com/viewtopic.ph ... ed+schmidt

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CT Brian
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:26 am 
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Bingo and a free beer to John!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Jerry Keefer
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:41 am 
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Quote:
I believe "Schmidt" was his last name, now that I think it through.

John;
You are correct. It was Fred Schmidt, a formal memeber of the APG and noted for his short cylinder PPC revolvers. Fred's wife Greta, did make the blueish colored cloth sleeves for his guns, with his business name etc., on the outside. Fred died around June or July of 1986 His business was in Mechanicsville, Va. on Signal Hill Road. I bought quite a lot of the S&W parts, and also his surface grinder which is still in excellent working condition and I couldn't live with out it. Many a PPC match has been won with Fred's revolvers.. I knew Fred briefly, about one year, prior to his death...he was an old school, German Machinist...
Hope that helps..

Take Care

Jerry

edited to add this link that I found on another site: http://www.pistolsmith.com/viewtopic.ph ... ed+schmidt
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Kurt Vogler
 Post subject: Mr. Fred Schmidt
PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:30 pm 
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Hello All
Thanks for getting this solved. I appreciate all that reached out to help as well. Is there anything on the Internet or any book that I can research on this mans work ? Best regards, Kurt Vogler.

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rhemp
 Post subject: Fred Schmidt
PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:45 pm 
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Hello-

I happen to be in Richmond, VA and own a 70 series Colt 1911A1 customized by him. Link to my past post and pics as follows:

http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... highlight=

One or two guys from DeGoffs gun shop in Mechanicsville know of him and his work. That is about as much info as I have found on him. My pistol is a fantastic piece from the era and I shot 75 rounds from it today. Good luck on your search...quite a few people are interested in his short cylinder PPC revolvers.

Ross
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Kurt Vogler
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:54 pm 
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Location: Smokey Mountain's
Hello Ross
I am really SORRY I did NOT buy this revolver now. :cry: Oh well, I KNOW who he is and what a great piece he builds now if I should see another. :wink: Thanks for sharing. Regards, Kurt.

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A.S.
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:56 am 
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Hello Kurt,

I had the pleasure of meeting Fred and seeing his work. He was "underated" IMO like other 'smiths here in the Richmond area like K.C. Young and John Setelin. OH, and Jerry Keefer too!
Sometimes you will see one of Fred's guns pop up at a gun show here.

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moa
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 6:02 pm 
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I just acquired a Fred Schmidt short cylinder PPC gun. I knew of him years ago when I used to shoot with some local Docs that had money (to burn)and liked custom stuff. One of them shot IPSC and I used to get to shoot his "cool stuff".
This one is special because of that relationship. Jerry Keefer worked it over a little and it has the best trigger action in the world.
I also have one of Jerry's 1911 customs that he did for me about 4 years ago. It's not bad either. ;)

Tom
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